Rory Best will captain Ireland in the Six Nations with the uncapped quartet of CJ Stander, Stuart McCloskey, Ultan Dillane and Josh van der Flier the 35-man squad’s newcomers.

Best is the captain of Ulster and takes over the same duties for his country from Paul O’Connell, who retired from Test rugby after the World Cup. He will lead a squad in which Stander is eyeing a back-row berth after the South African-born forward completed residency qualification.